Liverpool Begins Fifth Sporting Director Search Since 2022 After Hughes Exit

Liverpool has begun its search for a new sporting director after Richard Hughes completed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, leaving the Premier League side to make its fifth appointment in the position since 2022. BBC Sport reported that Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon is directing the search, with Liverpool hoping to appoint a replacement quickly.

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Hughes joined Liverpool in the summer of 2024 and was involved in two major managerial decisions. He oversaw the appointment of Arne Slot and later Andoni Iraola, after Slot was dismissed. According to the BBC, Hughes told the club earlier this year that he wanted a new challenge in Saudi Arabia. His exit followed the resignation of Michael Edwards as FSG chief executive of football.

Liverpool will consider candidates already working within the organization while also assessing outside options. David Woodfine, who served as Hughes’s assistant, former Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward and FSG director of football development Pedro Marques were identified by BBC Sport as internal possibilities. Paris Saint-Germain adviser Luis Campos was also mentioned, although the report said he is unlikely to leave the European champions in the immediate future.

The eventual appointee will inherit several significant contract decisions. Goalkeeper Alisson is out of contract at the end of this season, while captain Virgil van Dijk has a deal that expires next summer. Liverpool resisted interest in Alisson from Juventus during the latest transfer window. The club has already lost experienced players Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson since the end of last season.

Midfield planning is another issue awaiting Hughes’s successor. Liverpool did not reinforce that area after Curtis Jones joined Inter Milan, placing additional responsibility on Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. The club has monitored Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara but was not prepared to buy a midfielder this summer. Mac Allister is contracted until 2028, and the BBC reported that no extension talks are currently taking place.

The new sporting director will also have influence over Iraola, whose relationship with Hughes from their time at Bournemouth contributed to his Liverpool appointment. The change comes during a wider period of transition that has included a new manager, new investors and several senior departures. Liverpool nevertheless enters the search with its attacking options strengthened by Hughes-era signings including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola.